In NYC.

Hi all. Just wanted to let you know that I'm not going to be posting for a few days. I'm in NYC and going to shops and taking tons of photos. I can't wait to share when I get back.

At the press check for No Monster Here

Well I'm posting them a day late, but here are some pics (with explanations) from the press check of our children's book, No Monster Here.


1. The printer ran a few sheets for us to look over to see if the colors and registration look good. If we wanted a page to be a little more yellow or a little more magenta, then they would make the adjustments and print a few more sheets. They would do this until we were happy with the colors.


2. Here is the color scanner that would scan the color bars (you can see them in the first image on the bottom of the sheet). They do this to see exactly how dense the Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black inks are printing. The scanner can also tell if the densities are the same consistently from the left side of the sheet to the right side of the sheet.


3. Another sheet that we're checking over. When the book is bound all pages will be folded in half and then will be sewn down the side of the book 1/4 inch from the folded edge. So we needed to build in a little "cross-over" area (or gutter) down the middle of the page. You can see the "cross-over" area going down the middle of the monster's face in this image. After it's bound the gutter will disappear and the monster's head will become perfectly aligned.


4. Part of the printing press. Each tower prints a different color, either Cyan, Magenta, Yellow or Black. Each tower holds a drum that holds a plate.


5. Here's one of the 4 plates that was used to print the cover. I think this is the Black plate.


6. Here's a stack of paper with one side printed already.


7. Now the stack of paper is starting to run through the press.


8. Here it is coming out the other side (after going through all the towers) all finished.


9. Here are all the pages stacked up after printing. They'll sit here for a day or so to dry out. Then they will get cut and folded here at the printer. After that the folded pages head off to the bindery where they will get sewn and bound. And in about two weeks I'll have actual finished books in my hands. YAY!

No Monster Here is printed!!!

Check it out. My first children's picture book was printed yesterday! Yay!!! Here's a quick vid that I took of it printing when I was at the press check. I'll share some more pics with you tomorrow. You can pre-order and read the entire book over at the No Monster Here website. eeeeeeee!

Artist: Elbluo

These pieces by Elbluo really make me want to get drawing more. Aren't they super fun! I love all the intricate linework. See more work by Elbluo on his flickr site.

Artist: Katie of Pretty Sneaky

Hah hah! Check out these awesome custom knit Converse sneakers by Katie of Pretty Sneaky. I'm drooling over the purple high tops in the bottom pic. Too fun! See more in the Pretty Sneaky etsy store.

Artist: M. K. Lawrie

Isn't this yarn from M. K. Lawrie just gorgeous. And guess what... it's made from a single continuous cut of a recycled t-shirt! Too cool. The t-shirt yarn comes in both worsted and bulky weights. Check out more recycled goodness in the M. K. Lawrie etsy store.

Artist: Lauren Anabela of Creative Dexterity

When I saw these rings I just had to laugh. Aren't they wonderful! They were created by Lauren Anabela of Creative Dexterity. These lovelies would make a fantastic gift for the Apple lover in your life. See more in the Creative Dexterity Etsy store.

Artist: Christine Lindstrom

Happy labor day everyone. Hope all of you are getting some much needed rest. Check out these gorgeous autumny bird watercolor paintings by Christine Lindstrom. They are so beautiful and calming, just like a great labor day should be. See more of Christine's work in her etsy stores here and here, and also on her blog.

Artist: Zoë Austin

Check out these lovely illustrations by Zoë Austin. The woman holding the dog is too awesome! And the hand illustration was rendered in makeup. Fun! See more work on Zoë's website, blog and flickr site.

Artist: Maho Satoh-Britt

I absolutely love these brush paintings and woodcuts by Maho Satoh-Britt. (coqumaho on Etsy). They are the perfect combo of sophistication and cuteness! More => Etsy and website

To the printer we go!

Sorry I've been a bit MIA for the last couple of days. I was finishing up my first children's book, No Monster Here, and today it went to the printer. Yippee!!! I'll be doing a press check in about a week, so soon I'll be able to share actual printed pages with all y'all. You can read the whole book and pre-order it on the No Monster Here website. I'd love it you check it out and let me know what you think.